A councillor suspended by Reform UK has appeared in court accused of making threats to kill his wife.
Daniel Taylor, who now stands as an independent on Kent County Council, had the party whip withdrawn last month after being arrested on June 1.
The 37-year-old – who represents the Cliftonville ward in Thanet – appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court today charged with three offences, all of which he denied.
These included making threats to kill his wife on June 1, and a separate charge of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message to her on the same day.
It was also alleged between January 1, 2014, and June 1, 2025, he repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive.
It was revealed in court today Taylor was rearrested at Margate police station on Thursday (July 3) after first being held in connection with the alleged offences on June 1, when he was released on bail with conditions.
Taylor, who had lived at the family home in Cliftonville, was brought up to the dock flanked by two prison guards and wearing a grey sweatshirt after arriving at the court from custody.
He confirmed his name, age and address, and pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Taylor was released on bail but must comply with strict conditions and told he would be fitted with a GPS tag. The case was adjourned to August.
He was one of 57 candidates from Nigel Farage’s party to win a seat in the local elections on May 1.
Last month, a Reform UK spokesman confirmed the group whip had been withdrawn from Cllr Taylor “with immediate effect”.
KCC leader Linden Kemkaran (Reform) told group leaders in a letter the decision was made “due to a very sensitive set of circumstances”.
At the time of his suspension, calls for a by-election in the ward were being made.
Posting on Facebook in April – when he was standing as a candidate for Reform – Taylor described himself as a “local businessman and devoted family man, who has great concerns regarding Cliftonville’s future”.
KCC and Reform UK were approached for comment.
